Chapter 32 – The Second Challenger The sharp whistle of wind accompanied the attack as it swept beneath him, causing the hem of his yukata to flutter wildly.Max twisted his body mid-air, the motion fluid and instinctual. His left leg arced downward in a brutal counterstrike, aimed straight for Aurora’s torso.But just as he was about to make contact, the air around her shimmered.From nothingness, streams of water materialized—twelve in total, writhing like serpentine tendrils.They lunged toward him.Three targeted each arm, while six more coiled toward his legs, seeking to ensnare him before he could land.The onlookers collectively held their breath.Suspended mid-air with no ground beneath him, Max appeared to be completely vulnerable. The water tendrils were mere inches from capturing him, their liquid forms shifting with an unnatural agility.There was no way out.Or so they thought.In a flash, Max’s limbs snapped inward, his body folding into itself. He curled into a tight b

Chapter 34 - A Meal of Intentions"It's alright if you don't want to say..." Miss Raelyn said, her voice softer now, laced with understanding. Her sharp gaze studied Max, watching the tension in his shoulders.A moment of silence stretched between them. Then, Max exhaled."I plan to be independent," he said firmly.Miss Raelyn tilted her head slightly, her curiosity evident."Independence?" she echoed."Yes, Miss Raelyn," Max nodded, his expression resolute. "I don’t want to stay where I’m not wanted anymore."Her lips pressed together, her expression unreadable."Hmm." She regarded him thoughtfully, tapping a finger against her chin. "So, where do you plan on going?""I’ve done my research," Max said, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes. "And now that I’ve won the duel, I have enough credits to rent an apartment."They came to a halt in front of the dojo, the fading daylight casting elongated shadows on the steps."That’s not a bad idea," Miss Raelyn admitted, crossing her arms. "Y

Chapter 36: Embracing FreedomAfter securing an apartment, Max followed the agent, Mr. Kalu, toward its location.The place wasn’t far—just a few blocks from where they had finalized the deal.As they walked, Max took in his surroundings. This part of BB City was on the outskirts, where urban life gradually faded into open spaces. Beyond the residential area, a sparse forest stretched along the horizon, its outline dark against the fading daylight. A well-maintained road ran through, leading toward the city’s distant borders. The air here was fresher, less polluted by the usual hum of vehicles and the dense energy of the inner districts.They arrived at a seven-story building nestled within the third street of the neighborhood. The structure stood tall with a mix of earthy yellow and brown tones, exuding a practical yet sturdy appearance. It wasn’t luxurious, but it also didn’t feel neglected—just the right balance of comfort and affordability.Though the location was far from Echelon

Chapter 38 – Severing Ties That Never ExistedMax walked through the bustling streets of BB City, his footsteps steady yet unhurried as he made his way toward the old neighborhood where he had spent the last ten years in misery. The evening air carried the scent of damp pavement and distant food stalls, yet none of it registered in his mind. His thoughts were singular—this was the last time he would step foot in that house.The bus ride was brief, no more than five minutes, yet each second felt stretched as he watched the familiar sights pass by the window. When the automated voice announced the next stop, Max rose from his seat, exiting onto 34th Street, where the residential sector began.Row after row of bungalows lined the street, each well-maintained yet uniform in design. This district, unlike the one where his apartment was now located, had a certain urban refinement despite its simplicity. It was a stark reminder of the life he had once been confined to—one where he had been n

Chapter 40 - A Terrifying EncounterMax stood at the edge of the rooftop, his sharp gaze fixed on the commotion below. Even from this height, his heightened senses picked up the frantic movement of people converging near an apartment on the ground floor. Something was happening—something big.The apartment complex was over thirty meters tall, significantly smaller than the building where he had faced Jace Holloway. Yet, from up here, it still felt like a considerable drop.Max inhaled deeply, then took a step forward and leaped.FWOOSH!The rush of air engulfed him as he plummeted toward the ground, his sweater billowing and his silver-white hair whipping wildly in the wind. For a fleeting moment, it felt like flying—pure, exhilarating freedom.Then—BAM!He landed, knees slightly bent to absorb the impact. A dull tremor spread across the pavement, sending up a small cloud of dust. The sheer force of his descent should have jolted his body, but strangely, he felt nothing—not even a hi